Another Semester Please?
July 20, 2015

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

All I can think about now that I'm back is all of the places I want to go back to or have added to my list of places to travel. I also made some of my best friends during those five months who I know I will stay in touch with for years to come. Living on my own in another country was hands down the best decision I've ever made - it enhanced my knowledge, travel smarts, cultural awareness, and independence. I just wish I could have stayed there for an entire year, or all of undergrad!!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?

1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Australia has a very different education system - essays are graded very rigorously and a lot more is expected of you to earn high marks

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The personal connection with the IES staff in Sydney was unique, comforting, and fun! We got to travel up to the Great Barrier Reef with them as well as go get coffee or ice cream and just talk about life.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

No AC or heat, but we survived and the Sydney University Village was a lot of fun to live at!

* Food:

There wasn't food provided at the Village, but King Street is about 100m away and has literally any type of food you could ever want.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Aussies are very welcoming and love to talk about America as well as show you around their home.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Had to go see a GP but they did not seem very competent or sure of what was going on.

* Safety:

It is a city, so there are areas to avoid. But Ubers and public transits were usually pretty safe as long as you knew where to get off and especially if you had at least one other person with you.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?

$100-150

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?

Make a list at the beginning of your trip of all your expenses to budget everything out as best you can.
You will probably end up spending more than you think you will. If you don't, good on ya.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?

No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

Apartment

* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

Americans

* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

Local Students

Americans

International Students

About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?

Friendly and helpful staff

Location of Uni

Mid-semester trip

* What could be improved?

Cost?

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?

The importance of budgeting!! Sydney is expensive!!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.

The Outright Urbanite

A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.